#1: Shrimp and pasta dinner

This quick dinner features Shrimp Fusilli with Sweet-Pea Pesto, garlic bread and a simple dessert. Frozen seafood is the rushed cook's friend—here, peeled and deveined shrimp let you skip the prep work. Peas, garlic, mint, butter and vinegar form the pesto. For dessert, a build-it-yourself ice cream sundae bar can be elegant or simple, depending on your topping choices.

#2: Fish taco dinner

Another fast meal from the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute: Tilapia Tacos with Chipotle Cream, Spanish rice, Mexican hot chocolate and purchased sugar cookies. Break spiced white tilapia into pieces for tacos and top with a creamy chipotle sauce. ICASI Student Services Director Ruthann Kostadinov says: "Sometimes, I feel like the queen of fast food. I've learned that if it takes more than 30 to 45 minutes, my husband will suggest takeout."

Frozen tilapia is easy to work with; it's already skinned and boned. Rub with seasonings, and it's ready for the skillet. Rice mix from a box is an easy side dish. Another option: Pick up some side dishes at your supermarket's deli and get cookies from the bakery department.

#3: Off-The-Shelf Chili Meal

This quick and easy meal includes Chicken Salsa Chili with assorted toppers and Mocha Chocolate Mousse. While the chili bubbles away, mix together the simple mousse (next slide). Chill it until you're ready for dessert.

#4: Salmon Dinner

The Chopping Block cooking school in Chicago suggested this menu: Oven-Roasted Salmon, fresh fruit and Chocolate Panini. Just four ingredients go into the salmon main dish. Pepper and a salt blend season the ready-to-cook salmon fillets. Use packaged broccoli slaw or cabbage slaw from the market's produce section and fruit from the salad bar for an easy, yet nutritious, meal. Serve with a melty chocolate dessert panini (next slide).

#5: Rigatoni Dinner

This menu, also from the Chopping Block in Chicago, features One-Dish Rigatoni, Italian bread and Pear Caramel with Ice Cream. Split up the prep time for this pasta meal by making the 30-minute main dish first; then heat the dessert (next slide) before serving.

Pear Caramel with Ice Cream

Scoop the ice cream and freeze while the pears cook in their sugary syrup. If you're interested in the cooking school that created this recipe, the Chopping Block has Chicago locations at Lincoln Square (773/472-6700) and the Merchandise Mart (312/644-6360). For information: www.thechoppingblock.net.